Drop rate

Columnist · Jan 25, 2013

Moved to Nursing Student Assistance for more response.

Annachu512, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2013

Sure, just remember; try not to over complicate it! It really is simple math. Just setting it up can be confusing.

Easiest formula is amount of fluid over an hour divided by the minutes in an hour times drop rate. For example you have 100 ml running over an hour and the drop rate is 15.

100/60 x 15 = 25 drops per minute.

That's all there is to it. Sometimes, they'll say 30 ml over 30 minutes or maybe 45 minutes. It's the same.

30ml/30mins x drop rate.

I hope this helps!

KBICU · Jan 26, 2013

Just set it up like i showed you in your last post. The above poster explained it well also. Good luck!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2013

This is going to sound really bad. I am a nursing student and we are starting IV Piggybacks. I have a math question. I know the math with IV drop rate and pump. I never miss any of the problems finding drop or pump rate. However, I can not figure out to count the drops in the tubing per minute. I feel so embarrassed bec I am the one that helps other students with math. I know it is simple and that is probably my problem. I am better with hard problems but trying to time the drop rate per minute using my watch is confusing me. Can someone please explain this to me? I would appreciate your help. All is need is something like this example..44 gtts/min now I have to figure out the drops from the drip gravity. Thanks again.

If you are asking how to actually count how many gtt per min.....without a pump it is a guestimate.....take the total gtts per min and divide by 4....that is how many drops allowed every 15 seconds...then you stand there with a second hand watch and count.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2013

To be honest, I don't really understand why they even ask gtts/min questions anymore. As far as I can tell, all IVs are run on volumetric pumps, and the days we spent counting and regulating actual drops with our second-handed watches are long gone. But hey. No learning is ever wasted, and someday you might find yourself in a clinic in Haiti or Uganda or Uzbekhistan without them, and you'll be glad you learned.

Bouncyball · Jan 31, 2013

To be honest I don't really understand why they even ask gtts/min questions anymore. As far as I can tell, all IVs are run on volumetric pumps, and the days we spent counting and regulating actual drops with our second-handed watches are long gone. But hey. No learning is ever wasted, and someday you might find yourself in a clinic in Haiti or Uganda or Uzbekhistan without them, and you'll be glad you learned.[/quote']
I wish that was the case. I am doing clinicals at a hospital where almost 50% of the pts have to have their iv's run by gravity because there are not enough pumps to go around. It's so much more nerve racking having your clinical instructor count drops over your shoulder while you are trying to get it set at the right rate.

mssjez · Feb 2, 2013

First figure out how much the infusion is in ml per hour. This goes into the first part of the equation as ml over 60 minutes.

amount of fluid (ml) drop

_________________ X rate (on tube packaging) = drops per minute

60 minutes

Annachu512, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2013

To be honest, I don't really understand why they even ask gtts/min questions anymore. As far as I can tell, all IVs are run on volumetric pumps, and the days we spent counting and regulating actual drops with our second-handed watches are long gone. But hey. No learning is ever wasted, and someday you might find yourself in a clinic in Haiti or Uganda or Uzbekhistan without them, and you'll be glad you learned.

There are lots of reasons to know this but the main reason is a shortage of pumps. There are plenty of hospitals that still do some piggybacks by drop rate. Plus, depending on a pump is not the brightest idea; you should still be able to check it. Seriously, it's an easy formula so why not remember it and save some embarrassment later :)

eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN · Feb 5, 2013

Yeah, I work on cardiac step down and we don't have nearly enough pumps. I'll track one down when absolutely necessary, but for fluids I usually end up having to use a dial-a-flow or just by adjusting with the roller clamp. It just needs to be checked more often because it won't beep when the tube is clamped by a patient.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~